Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-05-25
DEATH OF ASHLEY D. HARGeR

| 1901, III tuc cotu year OI DIS age. u0
sad news was conveyed here by tele-
gram to his brother-in-law, Daniel Jones,
received about three hours subsequent to
| bis decease.
A few months ago, in his capacity rs
travelling correspondent of The Chicago
Times, Mr.. Harger visited the Bear Val
ley country in Arkansas, near Hot
Springs, which has recently developed
rich iron mining resources, and wrote
several of his characteristic letters, ex-
tolling in the highest terms the advan-
tages CT that region.
He was Frustrated from overwork and
exposure in the mines, and lay on a he'd
of sickness two weeks at Hot Springs
when called to bis final rest, receiving. as
bis friends have the consolation of know
ing, good care all through his illness.
Ashley d. larger was born in PAMELA,
Jefferson county, N. Y, August, 1929.
At the age of Is years he came to Water
town and entered the store of Jones &
Jackson, remaining here only a year,
when be returned to New York. A
few years later he returned here
and remained until the spring of
1852, when his adventuresome spirit
prompted him to take journey to Cali
fornia in search of gold. The route then
was overland, across the plains and
through tie passes of the Rocky mount
aius. DR.. Edward Johnson, of this city
was one of his companions on the trip,
and we venture to say that the two have
never met since their return from the
Eldorado fields that they did not recount
an incident connected with the periIous
journey or refer to some experience in
the mines.
Mr.. Harger was person imbued with
strong y marked characteristics, and being
human, was not without foibles and weak
nesses, which must now be buried be-
meath the recollection of naturally kind,
open heart and most friendly, warm,
sympathetic and generous nature that he
possessed, and brought into action when
ever the occasion demanded.
After his return from California, where
be spent several years, Mr.. Harger follow
ed school teaching, both in this city and in
the country about here, his last work of
this kind being done in one of the dis
tricts in the eastern part of the town OF
Watertown. He subsequently entered
the life insurance field as solicitor, and
travelled in the state Of New York for
several of the leading companies. In
Wisconsin he worked UP an extensive
business for the Phoenix of Hartford
In August, 1870, he launched into the
newspaper business by the purchase Of
The La Belle Mirror at Oconomowoc
Under this name it was issued three weeks
and then merged into The Oconomowoc
Times, which Mr.. Harger published un-
til June q, 1877, when the last number
appeared. 1t is generally admitted that
much Of the present prosperity of Ocono-
mowoc as summer resort is largely due
to the pen of Mr.. Harger, the advantages
and beauties of the place being heralded
abroad through the columns of The Times
| in manner that commanded the atten-
ton of people both far and near. The
Times material was brought to Water
town, and from January 5, 1878, to Sep
TENDER of the same year, he conducted
! Harger's Times. The next and last news
paper venture of Mr.. Harger's was The
Milwaukee Blade, which he published
| for short time.
| Mr.. Harger was a terse. vigorous and
versatile writer. At times he was quite
brilliant in de!ineation, and possessed
fine descriptive powers with the pen. He
could be caustic and severe in expression,
and then again soothing and pathetic.
He was ready speaker, and upon cues
tons in which he was interested he was
often heard. He was full of feeling, and
had boldness to express his sentiments
on every subject in manner that left no
doubt in the mind as to how he stood on
the question at issue.
Mr.. Harger was married in 1859 to
Miss Leontine A. Pagnier, of this city, who
survives him with son and daughter,
all residing at Denver, Col.
The funeral of Mr. Harger was held at
Oconomowoc yesterday morning, the re-
mains being escorted to Zion Episcopal
church in charge Of the Oconomowoc
Masons, where The services were conduct
ed by Rev. J. B. Finn, of this city, and